# Melrose, Scottish Borders

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Town in Scottish Borders, Scotland

Human settlement in Scotland

Melrose Scottish Gaelic: Maolros Scots: Melrose Melrose Location within the Scottish Borders Population 2,500 (2020)[1] OS grid reference NT5434 Council area Scottish Borders Lieutenancy area Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale Country Scotland Sovereign state United Kingdom Post town MELROSE Postcode district TD6 Dialling code 01896 Police Scotland Fire Scottish Ambulance Scottish UK Parliament Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk Scottish Parliament Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale List of places UK Scotland 55°35′53″N 2°43′52″W / 55.598°N 2.731°W / 55.598; -2.731

**Melrose** ([Scottish Gaelic](/source/Scottish_Gaelic_language): *Maolros*, "bald moor")[2] is a town and [civil parish](/source/Civil_parishes_in_Scotland) in the [Scottish Borders](/source/Scottish_Borders), historically in [Roxburghshire](/source/Roxburghshire).[3] It lies within the [Eildon](/source/Eildon) [committee area](/source/Area_committee) of [Scottish Borders Council](/source/Scottish_Borders_Council).

## History

The original Melrose was *Mailros*,[4] meaning "the bare peninsula" in [Old Welsh](/source/Old_Welsh) or [Brythonic](/source/Brythonic_languages). This referred to a neck of land by the River Tweed several miles east of the present town, where in the 6th century a monastery was founded associated with St Cuthbert. It was recorded by [Bede](/source/Bede), and also in the [Anglo-Saxon Chronicle](/source/Anglo-Saxon_Chronicle) with the name *Magilros*. This monastery and settlement, later known as "Old Melrose", were long abandoned by the 12th century. Melrose is surrounded by the small villages of [Darnick](/source/Darnick), [Gattonside](/source/Gattonside), [Newstead](/source/Newstead%2C_Scottish_Borders), [Lilliesleaf](/source/Lilliesleaf) and [Bowden](/source/Bowden%2C_Scottish_Borders).

Mel & Rose symbols in stonework at Abbey

King [David I of Scotland](/source/David_I_of_Scotland) took the throne in 1124, and sought to create a new [Cistercian monastery](/source/Cistercian_order) on that site; however the monks preferred a site further west called "Fordel". So the monastery now known as [Melrose Abbey](/source/Melrose_Abbey) was founded there in 1136, and the town of Melrose grew up on its present site around it. In the late Middle Ages, its name was represented by a *mell* (a mason's hammer) and a rose (for the [Virgin Mary](/source/Mary_(mother_of_Jesus)), to whom all [Cistercian](/source/Cistercians) abbeys were dedicated). The Abbey fell into ruin after the Reformation but is still a striking structure. Several Scottish nobles are buried there, and a casket has been found which is believed to contain the heart of King [Robert the Bruce](/source/Robert_I_of_Scotland). The casket has been re-buried in the Abbey. The Abbey ruins are cared for by [Historic Scotland](/source/Historic_Scotland) (open all year; entrance charge).

Nearby is the [Roman](/source/Roman_Empire) [fort](/source/Castra) of *[Trimontium](/source/Trimontium_(Newstead))*, [Abbotsford House](/source/Abbotsford_House) the home of [Sir Walter Scott](/source/Sir_Walter_Scott), and [Dryburgh Abbey](/source/Dryburgh_Abbey) where he was buried in 1832. The [Corn Exchange](/source/Corn_Exchange%2C_Melrose), which was designed by [David Cousin](/source/David_Cousin), was completed in 1863.[5]

The war memorial, erected in 1920, was designed by Sir [Robert Lorimer](/source/Robert_Lorimer).[6]

## Sport

Melrose is the birthplace of [Rugby Sevens](/source/Rugby_sevens) and also has a [rugby union](/source/Rugby_union) team, [Melrose RFC](/source/Melrose_RFC). Every year on the second Saturday in April the famous [Melrose Sevens](/source/Melrose_Sevens) are held at the Greenyards and is the biggest annual sporting event held in the town. Rugby union has historically been the most popular sport in Melrose.

Melrose Golf Club is a nine-hole golf course situated on the edge of the town at the foot of the Eildon Hills.

Melrose Cricket Club is situated next to [Borders General Hospital](/source/Borders_General_Hospital) at Huntlyburn.

Melrose Football Club SCIO, founded in 1995, is the grassroot junior football club that serves the town and local area. Junior boys teams play with the Scottish Borders Junior Football Association. Youth Boys teams play with the South East Region Youth Football Association. Girls teams are affiliated to Scottish Women's Football and play in leagues across the Borders and Lothians. Melrose FC is currently (2025) the largest girls football club in the Scottish Borders.

## Events

Every June, the week-long Melrose Festival takes place. This involves appointing a Melrosian who has lived in the town for most of his life; and a queen and her court are appointed from the local primary school, Melrose Primary School (previously named Melrose Grammar School).

Melrose is now host to the annual Borders Book Festival[7] which also takes place during June. The 2005 festival hosted guests including [Michael Palin](/source/Michael_Palin) and [Germaine Greer](/source/Germaine_Greer); [Ian Rankin](/source/Ian_Rankin) and [Rory Bremner](/source/Rory_Bremner) appeared in 2006.

Melrose hosts the annual Eildon Three Hill Race,[8] attracting many runners, and the Melrose Pipe Band Championships, attracting pipers from all over the world.

Melrose is twinned with the town of [Teba](/source/Teba) in southern Spain where [Douglas Day](https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/guadalhorce-valley/douglas-days-festival-teba-hailed-great-success-20230829123347-nt.html) is celebrated annually.

## Notable people

A wall plaque at the Townhouse Hotel in Melrose, Scotland. Spence lived the first 14 years of her life in a building which is now part of the hotel.

- [King Arthur](/source/King_Arthur), supposedly buried in the [Eildon Hills](/source/Eildon_Hill), which overlook the town

- [James Blair](/source/James_Blair_(VC)), recipient of the [Victoria Cross](/source/Victoria_Cross)

- [Craig Chalmers](/source/Craig_Chalmers), rugby union footballer, capped 60 times for Scotland

- [Richard Curle](/source/Richard_Curle), author, critic and journalist[9]

- [Sir Adam Ferguson](/source/Sir_Adam_Ferguson), army officer and Deputy Keeper of the [Scottish Regalia](/source/Honours_of_Scotland) lived at Huntlyburn House, now a wing of the Hospital.

- Rosie Frew, Bowden and Melrose Parish Minister, [Church of Scotland General Assembly](/source/General_Assembly_of_the_Church_of_Scotland) [Moderator](/source/Moderator_of_the_General_Assembly_of_the_Church_of_Scotland) for 2025-26[10]

- [Ned Haig](/source/Ned_Haig), butcher and rugby union footballer who founded [rugby sevens](/source/Rugby_sevens) and the [Melrose Sevens](/source/Melrose_Sevens)

- [Stuart Hogg](/source/Stuart_Hogg), rugby union footballer, captain of Scotland

- [John Robertson Henderson](/source/John_Robertson_Henderson), zoologist

- [William Kerr](/source/William_Alexander_Kerr), recipient of the Victoria Cross

- [Keith Robertson](/source/Keith_Robertson_(Scottish_rugby_union)), rugby union footballer

- [Mark Robertson](/source/Mark_Robertson_(rugby_union)), son of Keith Robertson; rugby union sevens, 2016 Olympic silver medalist

- [Sarah Robertson](/source/Sarah_Robertson_(field_hockey)), field hockey player[11]

- Sir [Walter Scott](/source/Walter_Scott), his home [Abbotsford House](/source/Abbotsford_House) lies a few miles west of the town

- [Catherine Helen Spence](/source/Catherine_Helen_Spence) (1825–1910), Australian author, teacher, journalist, politician and [suffragette](/source/Suffragette); born in Melrose, and left for Australia aged fourteen

- [Jim Telfer](/source/Jim_Telfer), rugby union footballer and coach

## Twinning

Melrose is twinned with the town of [Teba](/source/Teba) in southern Spain where [Douglas Day](https://www.douglasdaysteba.com/) is celebrated annually in memory of the [Battle of Teba](/source/Battle_of_Teba).

## Gallery

		- Melrose Abbey

		- Eildon Hills

		- Abbotsford

		- Market Square

		- The Roman Heritage Centre

## See also

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Melrose (Scotland)](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Melrose_(Scotland)#Q632993)***.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Melrose, Scottish Borders](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Melrose,_Scottish_Borders).

- [Borders General Hospital](/source/Borders_General_Hospital)

- Buglass, Scottish surname from old lands of Booklawes near Melrose

- [Harmony Garden](/source/Harmony_Garden%2C_Scottish_Borders), a [National Trust for Scotland](/source/National_Trust_for_Scotland) garden in Melrose

- [Priorwood Garden](/source/Priorwood_Garden), also [NTS](/source/National_Trust_for_Scotland)

- [List of places in the Scottish Borders](/source/List_of_places_in_the_Scottish_Borders)

- [List of places in Scotland](/source/List_of_places_in_Scotland)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Population estimates for settlements and localities in Scotland: mid-2020"](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/population-estimates-for-settlements-and-localities-in-scotland-mid-2020/). [National Records of Scotland](/source/National_Records_of_Scotland). 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-tailleir_2-0)** ["Gaelic Placenames collected by Iain Mac an Tailleir (2003)"](http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Gaelic/placenamesK-O.pdf) (PDF). *Scottish.parliament.uk*. Retrieved 2 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Database: Melrose"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160327145413/http://www.gaelicplacenames.org/databaseresult.php?redirect=true&keyword=Melrose&lang=en). *Gaelic Place-names of Scotland*. Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba. Archived from [the original](http://www.gaelicplacenames.org/databaseresult.php?redirect=true&keyword=Melrose&lang=en) on 27 March 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Stevenson, Joseph](/source/Joseph_Stevenson), ed. (1835), [*Chronica de Mailros, e Codice Unico*](https://books.google.com/books?id=gvQHAAAAQAAJ), Edinburgh: The Bannatyne Club (in Latin)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Historic Environment Scotland](/source/Historic_Environment_Scotland). ["Market Square, Corn Exchange and K. H. Thorburn, Chemist (LB37797)"](https://www.trove.scot/designation/LB37797). Retrieved 8 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Dictionary of Scottish Architects: Robert Lorimer

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Borders Book Festival"](http://www.bordersbookfestival.org/). *Borders Book Festival*. Retrieved 2 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Eildon Three Hill Race"](https://www.melroserugby.org/events-at-the-greenyards/eildon-hill-run). 22 June 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** * [Meyers, Jeffrey](/source/Jeffrey_Meyers) (2019). ["Memoirs of Conrad: Ford Madox and Company in Search of a Character"](https://muse.jhu.edu/article/710490/summary). *English Literature in Transition, 1880–1920*. **62** (1): 104.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Scotland, The Church of (31 October 2024). ["Rev Rosemary Frew is Moderator Designate for 2025-26"](https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/rev-rosemary-frew-is-moderator-designate-for-2025-26). *The Church of Scotland*. Retrieved 31 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Sarah Robertson"](https://www.scottish-hockey.org.uk/player/sarah-robertson/). *Scottish Hockey*. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

## External links

- [Melrose official website](https://web.archive.org/web/20160627163655/http://www.melrose.bordernet.co.uk/)

v t e Settlements in Scottish Borders Towns Coldstream Duns Earlston Eyemouth Galashiels Hawick Innerleithen Jedburgh Kelso Lauder Melrose Peebles Selkirk Villages and hamlets Abbey St Bathans Allanton Ancrum Ashkirk Auchencrow Ayton Birgham Broughton Burnfoot (Hawick) Burnmouth Camptown Cardrona Chirnside Clovenfords Cockburnspath Coldingham Cove Denholm Dryburgh Eddleston Edgerston Edrom Ettrick Ettrickbridge Fogo Foulden Gavinton Gordon Grantshouse Greenlaw Heriot Hume Hutton Kirk Yetholm Leitholm Lilliesleaf Longformacus Morebattle Newcastleton Newstead Newtown St Boswells Oxton Paxton Preston Reston Roxburgh St Abbs St Boswells Stichill Stow Swinton Teviothead Town Yetholm Tweedbank Tweedsmuir Walkerburn West Linton Whitsome See also List of places in the Scottish Borders

v t e River Tweed, Great Britain Administrative areas Scottish Borders Scotland Northumberland England Flows into North Sea Towns (upstream to downstream) Tweedsmuir Peebles Innerleithen Walkerburn Galashiels Melrose Newstead St Boswells Kelso Coldstream Berwick-upon-Tweed Major tributaries (upstream to downstream by confluence) Cor Water Talla Water Holms Water Lyne Water Manor Water Quair Water Leader Water Leithen Water Caddon Water Ettrick Water Yarrow Water Gala Water River Teviot River Till Whiteadder Water Blackadder Water Major bridges (upstream to downstream) Carlow's Bridge Neidpath Viaduct Tweed Bridge Yair Bridge Leaderfoot Viaduct Drygrange Old Bridge Dryburgh Suspension Bridge Mertoun Bridge Kelso Bridge Hunter's Bridge Coldstream Bridge Ladykirk and Norham Bridge Union Bridge A1 River Tweed Bridge Royal Border Bridge Royal Tweed Bridge Berwick Bridge Longest rivers of the United Kingdom Severn Thames Trent Great Ouse Wye Ure/Ouse Tay Spey Clyde Tweed Avon Nene Eden Dee

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States Czech Republic Latvia Israel Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Melrose, Scottish Borders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melrose%2C_Scottish_Borders) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melrose%2C_Scottish_Borders?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.